Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Terry A. Houser / The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of 0 and 20% dried distillers grains with soluble (DDGS) and increasing levels of glycerol (0, 2.5 and 5%) in grow-finishing rations on bacon quality and to determine the relationship between belly firmness and slicing yield for commercially produced bacon. A total of 84 barrows (PIC, initially 31.03 kg) were fed corn-soybean meal-based diets organized in a 2 x 3 factorial with primary effects of DDGS (0 or 20%) and glycerol (0, 2.5, or 5%) as fed. Belly length was measured from flank end to blade end. Belly thickness was measured at eight locations evenly spaced around the perimeter of the belly. Belly firmness was measured by centering bellies perpendicularly (skin side up and skin side down) over a stainless steel smokestick and measuring the flex between the edges on the ventral and dorsal edges of the belly. Bellies were injected at 12% of the skinned belly weight resulting in a final concentration of 1.74% salt, 0.5% sugar, 0.3% sodium phosphate, 120 ppm sodium nitrite, and 500 ppm sodium erythorbate in the bellies. Bellies were cooked to an internal temperature of 53oC, chilled, pressed and sliced for evaluation. Belly slice yield was calculated by determining the yield of #1 type bacon slices. Proximate analysis and fatty acid analysis were evaluated by taking every 10th bacon slice beginning from the caudal end to make a composite sample for each belly. Iodine value was calculated using the resulting fatty acid content results. Twenty bacon slices were removed from the belly one-third the length of the belly from the cranial end for sensory analysis and cooking yields. Sensory characteristics were evaluated on an 8-point scale for brittleness, bacon flavor intensity, saltiness and off-flavor. There were no significant DDGS x glycerol interactions on any parameters measured (P > 0.08). Inclusion of 20% DDGS in pig diets decreased belly firmness (P < 0.04) as measured by the belly flop fat side down method. Twenty percent DDGS decreased the percentage of myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, vaccenic acid, total saturated fatty acids, and total monounsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.01). In contrast, 20% DDGS increased the percentage of linoleic acid, α-linolenic acid, eicosadienoic acid, total polyunsaturated fatty acids and decreased unsaturated: saturated fatty acid ratios, polyunsaturated: saturated fatty acid ratios, and iodine values (P < 0.01). Statistical correlation analysis of belly processing characteristics showed that by increasing belly weight there will be an increase in smokehouse yields (R = 0.81), increasing smokehouse yields will increase slice yield (R = 0.71), increasing belly thickness results in firmer bellies (R = 0.94) and increasing belly firmness will increase slice yields (R = 0.60). Fatty acid content did not correlate with any belly processing characteristic (R < 0.50). Iodine values were highly correlated with Total MUFA (R = 0.83) Total PUFA (R = 0.79), Total TFA (R = 0.75), and UFA: SFA ratio, and PUFA: SFA ratios (R = 0.83). The inclusion of 0, 2.5 and 5% glycerol in swine diets did not affect any measured parameters in this study. In conclusion, feeding DDGS at a level of 20% decreased belly firmness and changed the fatty acid profile; however, it did not affect belly processing or sensory characteristics. Glycerol fed at 2.5 or 5.0% did not affect belly quality, fatty acid profile, or sensory characteristics of bacon.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing wheat-based dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on cow performance, forage utilization, and production costs. In the first two experiments, 48 dry, pregnant Black Angus cows (mean BW±SD; 598.2±4.2 kg) stratified by body weight (BW) and days pregnant were allocated randomly to one of three replicated (n=2) treatments. Cows were managed on stockpiled crested wheatgrass pasture (TDN=49.0, CP=7.3 (% DM)) in experiment one (EXP 1) and barley straw-chaff residue (TDN=45.4, CP=8.6 (% DM)) in experiment two (EXP 2). EXP 1 supplement treatments were (1) 100% DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) 100% commercial supplement (COMM); or (3) control no supplement (CONT). EXP 2 supplement treatments were (1) 100% DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) 50% DDGS + 50% rolled barley (50:50); or (3) 100% rolled barley grain (control; BARL). Forage utilization was measured for both trials using the herbage weight disappearance method. Cow BW, body condition score (BCS), and rib and rump fat were measured at the start and end of trial and cow BW was corrected for conceptus gain based on calving data. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on forage utilization in either experiment. In EXP 1, cow performance was not affected (P > 0.05) by supplement strategy. In EXP 2, BW change was 11.3, 6.8, and -6.5 (P < 0.01) for DDGS, 50:50, and BARL, respectively. Because forage utilization was not affected, the difference in cow BW was the result of supplement type. Costs per cow per day in EXP 1 were $0.66, $0.68, and $0.60 for DDGS, COMM, and CONT, respectively. In EXP 2, costs per cow per day were $0.79, $0.80, and $0.80 for DDGS, 50:50, and BARL treatments, respectively.<p> In experiment three (EXP 3), four ruminally cannulated beef heifers were individually fed a basal ration of 75% ground barley straw and 25% ground grass hay (TDN=46.3, CP=7.5 (% DM)). Heifers were supplemented with either (1) DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) commercial range pellet (COMM); (3) barley grain and canola meal (BAR+CM); or (4) control no supplement (CONT). Forage intake, apparent total tract digestibility, and passage rate; rumen fermentation parameters; and the rate and extent of forage degradation were measured. Forage intake, passage rate, and apparent total tract digestibility of DM, NDF, and ADF were not affected (P > 0.41) by treatment. Apparent total tract digestibility of CP was increased (P = 0.02) by supplementation, but was not different between DDGS, COMM, and BAR+CM treatments. Ruminal pH was not affected (P = 0.20) by treatment diet, but rumen ammonia-N was increased (P < 0.01) by supplementation. The potentially degradable and undegradable forage fractions were affected (P < 0.02) by supplementation, reducing the extent of forage degradation. Also, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for the rate of forage DM degradation to increase when supplements were fed. The results of these experiments indicate that wheat-based DDGS can be used as a supplement for beef cows consuming forages with similar or greater effects compared to a commercial pellet and barley grain. DDGS had similar effects on rumen metabolism as the commercial range pellet or barley grain and canola meal, suggesting DDGS can be substituted on a unit basis with these supplements. As such, the inclusion of wheat-based DDGS as a supplement for beef cows will depend on the initial price of the supplement.

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing wheat-based dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on cow performance, forage utilization, and production costs. In the first two experiments, 48 dry, pregnant Black Angus cows (mean BW±SD; 598.2±4.2 kg) stratified by body weight (BW) and days pregnant were allocated randomly to one of three replicated (n=2) treatments. Cows were managed on stockpiled crested wheatgrass pasture (TDN=49.0, CP=7.3 (% DM)) in experiment one (EXP 1) and barley straw-chaff residue (TDN=45.4, CP=8.6 (% DM)) in experiment two (EXP 2). EXP 1 supplement treatments were (1) 100% DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) 100% commercial supplement (COMM); or (3) control no supplement (CONT). EXP 2 supplement treatments were (1) 100% DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) 50% DDGS + 50% rolled barley (50:50); or (3) 100% rolled barley grain (control; BARL). Forage utilization was measured for both trials using the herbage weight disappearance method. Cow BW, body condition score (BCS), and rib and rump fat were measured at the start and end of trial and cow BW was corrected for conceptus gain based on calving data. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on forage utilization in either experiment. In EXP 1, cow performance was not affected (P > 0.05) by supplement strategy. In EXP 2, BW change was 11.3, 6.8, and -6.5 (P < 0.01) for DDGS, 50:50, and BARL, respectively. Because forage utilization was not affected, the difference in cow BW was the result of supplement type. Costs per cow per day in EXP 1 were $0.66, $0.68, and $0.60 for DDGS, COMM, and CONT, respectively. In EXP 2, costs per cow per day were $0.79, $0.80, and $0.80 for DDGS, 50:50, and BARL treatments, respectively.<p> In experiment three (EXP 3), four ruminally cannulated beef heifers were individually fed a basal ration of 75% ground barley straw and 25% ground grass hay (TDN=46.3, CP=7.5 (% DM)). Heifers were supplemented with either (1) DDGS (70:30 wheat:corn blend; DDGS); (2) commercial range pellet (COMM); (3) barley grain and canola meal (BAR+CM); or (4) control no supplement (CONT). Forage intake, apparent total tract digestibility, and passage rate; rumen fermentation parameters; and the rate and extent of forage degradation were measured. Forage intake, passage rate, and apparent total tract digestibility of DM, NDF, and ADF were not affected (P > 0.41) by treatment. Apparent total tract digestibility of CP was increased (P = 0.02) by supplementation, but was not different between DDGS, COMM, and BAR+CM treatments. Ruminal pH was not affected (P = 0.20) by treatment diet, but rumen ammonia-N was increased (P < 0.01) by supplementation. The potentially degradable and undegradable forage fractions were affected (P < 0.02) by supplementation, reducing the extent of forage degradation. Also, there was a tendency (P = 0.06) for the rate of forage DM degradation to increase when supplements were fed. The results of these experiments indicate that wheat-based DDGS can be used as a supplement for beef cows consuming forages with similar or greater effects compared to a commercial pellet and barley grain. DDGS had similar effects on rumen metabolism as the commercial range pellet or barley grain and canola meal, suggesting DDGS can be substituted on a unit basis with these supplements. As such, the inclusion of wheat-based DDGS as a supplement for beef cows will depend on the initial price of the supplement.

No description available.

A study was conducted to examine the impact of diet and cold weather on the excretion of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from beef cows, and the potential for these nutrients to be lost to waterways or as greenhouse gases (GHG). Feces and urine were collected from mature cows fed low-quality forage supplemented with DDGS to 0%, 10%, and 20% ww-1 in the fall of 2008 and winter of 2009. A detailed nutrient analysis was performed to determine forms of N and fractions of P in excreta. Feces, urine, and a simulated bedding pack were then applied to grassland to determine soil GHG emission. Cattle receiving DDGS supplementation excreted greater proportions of labile P in feces and greater concentrations of P in urine. The 20% DDGS diets had greater nitrous oxide emission from urine patches and greater proportions of available N in urine and feces.

A study was conducted to examine the impact of diet and cold weather on the excretion of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from beef cows, and the potential for these nutrients to be lost to waterways or as greenhouse gases (GHG). Feces and urine were collected from mature cows fed low-quality forage supplemented with DDGS to 0%, 10%, and 20% ww-1 in the fall of 2008 and winter of 2009. A detailed nutrient analysis was performed to determine forms of N and fractions of P in excreta. Feces, urine, and a simulated bedding pack were then applied to grassland to determine soil GHG emission. Cattle receiving DDGS supplementation excreted greater proportions of labile P in feces and greater concentrations of P in urine. The 20% DDGS diets had greater nitrous oxide emission from urine patches and greater proportions of available N in urine and feces.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of feeding extruded and non-extruded mixtures of wheat dried distillers grains with solubles with peas (WP) or canola meal (WC) on ruminal fermentation, total tract nutrient digestion and milk production in dairy cows. Eight dairy cows (712 ± 54 kg body weight; 90 ± 31 days-in-milk at the beginning of the experiment) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design (28-d periods) with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. Four cows in one Latin square were fitted with rumen cannulas for the measurement of ruminal fermentation characteristics. Treatment diets contained either WP or WC combinations fed in an extruded or non-extruded form (16% of DMI). Diets were isonitrogenous (17.1% crude protein; CP) and contained approximately 53% concentrate and 47% forage (DM basis). Dietary treatment had no significant effect on DMI (P > 0.10). Starch intake was higher for cows fed extruded diets compared to those fed non-extruded diets (P = 0.028) and was also higher for cows fed WP compared to those fed WC (P = 0.042). Cows fed extruded diets had higher apparent ruminal digestion of DM (P = 0.02) and a tendency (P = 0.05) for a higher OM apparently digested in the rumen compared to those fed non-extruded diets. Total tract digestibilities of organic matter (P < 0.01), CP (P < 0.01), ether extract (P < 0.01) and starch (P = 0.047) were higher for cows fed extruded diets compared to those fed non-extruded diets. Total tract digestibility of ether extract was lower (P = 0.011) but digestibility of starch was higher (P < 0.01) and CP digestibility tended to be higher (P = 0.08) for cows fed WP compared to those fed WC. Fecal N excretion was lower in cows fed extruded diets compared to those fed non-extruded diets (P < 0.01), but there was no difference in N retention, productive N, RDP or RUP between diets (P > 0.10). Ruminal pH was higher for cows fed non-extruded WC compared to those fed extruded WC, but there was no difference between WP diets (interaction; P = 0.047). Ruminal acetate displayed the opposite interaction where concentration was highest for cows fed extruded WC and lowest for those fed non-extruded WC but there was no difference between WP diets (interaction; P = 0.019). Ruminal ammonia-N concentration tended to be higher for cows fed WC compared to those fed WP (P = 0.06). Ruminal propionate concentration was higher for cows fed extruded diets compare to those fed non-extruded diets (P = 0.026). Ruminal isobutyrate concentration was higher for cows fed WC compared to those fed WP (P < 0.01). Ruminal butyrate (P < 0.01) and isovalerate (P < 0.01) concentrations were higher for cows fed extruded WC compared to those fed non-extruded WC, but concentrations decreased for cows fed extruded WP compared to those fed non-extruded WP. Plasma glucose concentration was higher for cows fed WC compared to those fed WP but concentration was highest for cows fed extruded WC but lowest for cows fed extruded WP (interaction; P < 0.01). Milk protein yield (P = 0.047) was higher and milk yield tended to be higher (P = 0.06) for cows fed WP compared to those fed WC diets. Milk protein content was not affected by diet; however, milk fat content (P = 0.04) and MUN (P = 0.011) were lower, whereas milk yield (P = 0.030), 3.5% fat corrected milk yield (P = 0.027), milk fat yield (P = 0.027), lactose content (P = 0.011) and lactose yield (P < 0.01) were higher in cows fed the extruded diets compared to those fed non-extruded diets. In summary, these results indicate that extrusion had positive effects on overall milk production and total tract nutrient digestion.

Thirty-six half-sibling Angus bulls were assigned one of three diets: 1) 60% corn-based (CON; S = 0.18%; n = 12); 2) 60% DDGS replacing corn (60DDGS; S = 0.55% DM; n = 12); 3) CON diet + equivalent sulfur of 60DDGS added as calcium sulfate (SULF; S = 0.54%; n = 12) to evaluate the effects of feeding diets containing DDGS or calcium sulfate on performance and semen characteristics. Bulls began the study at 9 months of age and gained 1.6 kg/day for 112 days. Treatment by day interactions (P < 0.05) were observed for glutathione peroxidase and trace mineral concentrations in seminal plasma. Effects of treatment (P < 0.05) were observed for semen kinematics and triiodothyronine in serum. Alterations observed when feeding 60% DDGS to developing bulls occurred in a manner that is not dependent on dietary sulfur; therefore, observed changes could be related to other components within DDGS.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Micheal J. Brouk / Supplemental phosphorus (P) in varying forms and sources: pellet (PELLET), meal (MEAL), liquid (LIQUID) and corn dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) were compared in twelve multiparous Holstein cows producing approximately 43 kg of milk (115 [plus minus] 55 DIM) in a 4x4 Latin square with 21d periods. PELLET and MEAL diets contained monocalcium phosphate with a wheat middlings carrier, and the LIQUID contained ammonium polyphosphate in a cane molasses base. The DDGS supplied an organic P source. Cows were blocked by parity, DIM and milk production and randomly assigned to treatments. Data were analyzed using the MIXED model procedure of SAS. Phosphorus intakes of 116, 116, 119 and 118 g/d were similar for PELLET, MEAL, LIQUID and DDGS diets, respectively. Cows consuming the LIQUID diet experienced greater sugar intakes (P<0.001). Fat intake was lower (P<0.001) for the PELLET, MEAL and LIQUID diets compared to the DDGS diet (1.14, 1.12, 1.07 and 1.36 kg/d, respectively). NEL intake was similar for all treatments (P=0.55). Milk yield differences (P=0.05) occurred with the DDGS diet yielding the most milk (34.6, 35.4, 34.1 and 36.5 kg/d). No differences resulted for either milk fat (P=0.26) or milk protein (P=0.33) percentages or for daily lactose production (P=0.22). Excretion of P in feces tended (P=0.07) to differ between treatments (67.4, 66.3, 57.5 and 60.0 g/d) resulting in a trend (P=0.10) for greater P retention in diets excreting less P. Secretion of P in milk did not differ (P=0.51) between treatments. Differences (P=0.04) occurred in P concentration between diets (0.47, 0.47, 0.49 and 0.47%), but the amount of P fed was not different (P=0.83). With similarities for DMI and P concentration in refusals (P=0.21) it may be deduced that sorting of the P supplement did not occur. These data show that supplemental P sources do not affect DMI or P intake, however P source resulted in slight differences in P utilization, but it was not related to sorting of the diet. Utilizing DDGS showed similar responses to inorganic P mineral supplements with favorable production yields making it an adequate substitute for mineral sources of P.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Terry A. Houser / A total of 48 carcasses were taken from a larger trial using 288 pigs (PIC TR4 × 1050, initially 58.9 kg) in a 73 d feeding study to determine the effects of sorghum dried distillers grains with solubles (S-DDGS) in sorghum- or corn-based diets on ground pork quality. The dietary treatments included: sorghum-based diets with 0, 15, 30, or 45% SDDGS, a sorghum-based diet with 30% corn DDGS (C-DDGS) and a corn-based diet with 30% C-DDGS. Shoulders from 24 barrow and 24 gilt carcasses were ground and evaluated for proximate and fatty acid composition, iodine value (IV), objective color, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and sensory attributes. No finishing diet × gender interaction was detected for composition, fatty acid profile, color or TBARS (P > 0.05). Pork from gilts contained less fat and more moisture (P < 0.001), was less saturated with a greater IV and total percentage of PUFA (P < 0.01), and also had a lower L* value (P < 0.001) and higher a* value (P = 0.006) than pork from barrows. Gender did not affect total color change ( E) from 0 to 120 h (P = 0.30), TBARS (P = 0.08), or sensory attributes (P ≥ 0.32). Finishing diet had no affect on total fat, moisture, or protein composition (P ≥ 0.18). Increasing S-DDGS resulted in a linear (P < 0.001) decrease in SFA and MUFA and an increase (P < 0.01) in PUFA and ground pork IV. Pork from pigs fed 30% S-DDGS had a greater percentage of MUFA (P = 0.01) and a lower percentage of PUFA (P > 0.006) and reduced IV (P = 0.03) compared to pork from pigs fed the sorghum-based diet with 30% C-DDGS. Diet did not affect TBARS (P = 0.37) or L*, a*, or b* values (P ≥ 0.11) but was shown to influence E (P = 0.01) with pork from pigs fed sorghum grain and 30% S-DDGS having less total change than all other treatments. It is concluded that consumers will not be able to differentiate ground pork from pigs fed DDGS and that feeding sorghum grain and S-DDGS can be done without affecting ground pork quality.